5 Hollywood Rumors: ‘Star Wars’ Teaser, ‘Blade’ Sequel, and More

Every week we tap into Hollywood’s psyche, or give it our best shot, to give readers an in-depth look at the latest rumors, casting updates, and other entertainment beats of the sort. Everything you read has been incubating in the Hollywood world, and now it’s time to share it with you — Cheat Sheet readers. So, at long last, here is what has been pulsating throughout the Web this week:

1. Is Finn fighting Kylo Ren in the Star Wars Instagram teaser?

Disney and Lucasfilm’s careful marketing scheme for Star Wars: The Force Awakens continued Thursday, as they released a new 15-second teaser trailer on Instagram. In it, Supreme Leader Snoke’s voice (Snoke is played by the unparalleled Andy Serkis) can be heard saying: “There has been an awakening… Have you felt it?”

But, most importantly, viewers got another glimpse of Kylo Ren (played by Adam Driver). This time, though, the way Disney/Lucasfilms frames the teaser, it seems he is fighting Finn (John Boyega), the apparently rogue stormtrooper. Kylo Ren carries a crossguard lightsaber and Finn lights up an alluring blue lightsaber of his own, while breathing heavily. Finn, with his lightsaber, and amid the ambiance of a dark, snowy forest, makes for a neat-looking frame, for that’s as much as we can deduce at this point. Other than that, Jordan Zakarin, in a Yahoo! article, quotes JJ Abrams from the new issue of Empire Magazine, saying that “Kylo Ren is not a Sith. He works under Supreme Leader Snoke, who is a powerful figure on the Dark Side of the Force.”

2. Is Wesley Snipes returning to the screen as Blade?

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

The last time we saw Blade, a.k.a. Eric Brooks, it was 2004 and the film was Blade Trinity, a project detested by critics to the point where many fans may have expected to never see the daywalker onscreen again. However, here’s the latest scoop:

Marvel Studios, which owns the rights to Blade, was set to release a new series of comics in October about the character, but the books are being delayed, because Marvel is now viewing the series as a larger tie-in to a cinematic adaptation. That’s right, Blade could be getting revived.

Hold up. There’s a catch, of course. The new film may center around Blade’s daughter, Fallon Grey, a popular 16-year-old from Oregon who has a lot going for her, but a lot of questions bubbling within, too. This is according to an August 26 Digital Trends article.

Eric Eisenberg of Cinema Blend writes that Wesley Snipes has had meetings with Marvel about bringing back the vampire-hunting daywalker. Eisenberg continues, “I honestly think the idea of a new movie following Blade’s daughter is a much better idea [than one centered solely on Blade]… They could even choose to have Snipes involved and perhaps training a newcomer in the ways of vampire hunting.”

3. Is Man of Steel 2 on “permanent hold”?

Source: Warner Bros.

On August 25, Ryan Lambie of Den of Geek, wrote that sources indicate that George Miller (director of Mad Max: Fury Road) may be in talks to direct a DC Comics movie.

Lambie writes that Jon Schnepp, filmmaker behind The Death of Superman Lives, recently speculated on an episode of Popcorn Talks, that Miller will direct Man of Steel 2. However, while part of the rumor may be true, it may not have merit in its entirety.

The Cinema Blend article continues, saying that sources indicate Miller may in fact be gearing up to work on a DC Comics movie, but which one is still up in the air, depending on availability and which story Miller is drawn toward.

DC has also laid out its five-year plan for the DC cinematic universe, which includes movies like Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Justice League, and The Flash. So, where’s Man of Steel 2?

Lambie says a source has indicated that Man of Steel 2 is on “permanent hold.”

Another recent rumor suggests that Warner Bros. is secretly planning another three movies with Ben Affleck as Batman. If that’s the case, then Warner will be quite busy over the next few years.

Much of what will happen to a potential Man of Steel 2 depends on the reception of next year’s Batman v Superman.

4. Prometheus 2 confirmed by director Ridley Scott

Source: 20th Century Fox

An August 28 Gamespot article indicates that Ridley Scott’s next film will in fact be Prometheus 2, a sequel to the 2012 sci-fi hit that garnered a positive response from critics and earned $403.4 million.

Scott, 78, is busy promoting his latest film, The Martian, due for release on October 2. (The film is based on Andy Weir’s 2011 novel of the same name.) However, according to Dan Auty of Gamespot, Scott told Empire Magazine that Prometheus 2 is underway.

20th Century Fox has yet to officially announce the film, but according to Auty, SlashFilm.com reports that it may begin production in January, 2016.

Another report within the same article hints that Neill Blomkamp’s Alien 5 project may be delayed because of Scott’s Prometheus 2.

5. Christian Bale to star in Michael Mann’s next film, Ferrari

Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images

Michael Mann fans should be excited. It was announced recently that Christian Bale will play Enzo Ferrari in the director’s next film.

However, this next Ferrari film could be an exhilarating one. It will be set in 1957, and at this point, according to Alex Billington of Firstshowing.net, the film is not set up with a studio yet, though the project could begin next summer.

Mann and Bale have collaborated before, with Public Enemies. Bale has stayed busy as well within the past year, starring in Ridley Scott’s Exodus: Gods and Kings and Terrence Malick’s Knight of Cups.

To date, Mann has received four Academy Award nominations, and some of his notable films include: The Last of the Mohicans, Ali, The Kingdom, and Public Enemies.